Author: Michael Ray

I was delighted to introduce and meet Jack Newman MD at the Connection Breastfeeding Conference in Birmingham 3 weeks ago. (It takes me a while to post sometimes). He is a wonderful speaker and was happy to see such a large crowd. Were any of you there?

I had the opportunity to be featured on the CAPPA radio show. Listen and tell me what you think. Check Out Women Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with CAPPA Radio on BlogTalkRadio with CAPPA Radio on BlogTalkRadio

So I read an interesting article in al.com about breastfeeding and natural birth options. I was disappointed they missed the wonderful things happening at RMC. Here is what I would add/respond to the article: In light of the changes in the two hospitals you focused on, RMC, without any outside help, became the first Baby

We often only discuss success. We are quiet about our “failures”. I was very moved by this mother’s discussion of a VBAC that did not end in vaginal delivery but still had a profound effect on her. Click her to read the entire post

Here is a excerpt from a birth story of patient we cared for: “Anyway, we get to the parking deck and I quickly decide that there’s no need to walk around the parking deck, that they were still consistent and not slowing down. Since it was 1am we had to go through the emergency room

A recent metaanalysis in the journal AJOG on exercise was very encouraging to those exercising in pregnancy. Exercise in pregnancy lowers the risk of cesarean section significantly and even more for those women who exercise more than 50 hours during the pregnancy. Exercise also reduced pregnancy weight gain. The women they studied performed aerobic and

We have been very fortunate to attract some very wonderful patients for our obstetric services who live a significant distance from our hospital. Some wish to come to town early in labor but not go to the hospital or stay in area if they come but are not quite in labor yet. To help

Do pain medications given for labor affect breastfeeding? The short answer is yes, they could. Not for all women, but women with exposure to pain medications are more likely to have delayed onset of lactation. The delay could cause problems, supplementation, and higher cessation of breastfeeding. Some will respond to such information with anger or

Am I Pregnant? The only way to get proof is to take a pregnancy test. Before a missed period, there are many classic symptoms of pregnancy from morning sickness to strange cravings. Some women may experience symptoms within weeks of conception. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we highly advise you to take a

The WHO’s World Cancer Report 2014 said the major sources of preventable cancer included: Less than 10% cancer is genetic. Most are from preventable causes. The WHO’s World Cancer Report 2014 said the major sources of preventable cancer included: Smoking Infections Alcohol Obesity and inactivity Radiation, both from the sun and medical scans Air pollution

Sometimes, it’s a good thing for a doctor to be on the other side and be the receiver of care. Recently, a family member needed surgery, and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on how we treat patients in their challenging times. I am happy to report that it was a good experience. A

Much has changed since your grandmother was a child. In the last century, most folks grew up with rotary telephones. Now we walk around with telephones that are personal computers in our pockets. Your grandmother grew up with a handful of local and broadcast television channels, but now we have access to hundreds of channels

So my daughter gets a NIV translation of the Bible as a gift. She declares that she wants to read more of the Bible. “That’s great, sweetie,” says her father. Then she reads out loud Genesis 4:1 “Adam made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.” “Whats made love?

A lot of my patients are very deliberate about what interventions are performed during pregnancy, delivery, and in the newborn period. Their interest and education on these matters is an important part of our collaborative approach to obstetrical care. But some can attempt to just be opposed to all interventions without investigating why. Vitamin K

I appreciate the recognition from BirthWell. I am happy see women from the Birmingham area. If your consider our practice and are unsure, call and we will see for a consultation without having to commit to transfer. We feel that our practice and hospital offer many things that are unique in this area and worth

For women who find themselves pregnant with twins, the choice between planned cesarean or planned vaginal delivery is a dilemma. This is a great video summing up the evidence and may help you decide: Delivery for Twins Video

While the around-and-around health policy debates happen remember this picture. Much of our health is determined by health behaviors. I would also add that includes the health behaviors of mothers when we were in the womb and infants. So yes, I put a strong emphasis on health behaviors during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a health

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation article on the politics of breastfeeding identifies why breastfeeding, despite its powerful effect on the health of nations, is not promoted: leadership. In our small way, we attempt to lead locally on breastfeeding. That’s why we started Alabama Breastfeeding Medicine and Northeast Alabama Baby Cafe. That’s why we have

ACOG (the professional group for most OBGYNs) released a consensus statement on the prevention of cesarean sections. This well-written statement is sorely needed. ACOG advocates obstetrical management that lowers the c-section rate. The management it recommends has long been a part of our practice’s management of pregnancy. So I can concur that it does result

When I state that RMC is a Baby Friendly Hospital, I often have to explain what that is. I realized most don’t know what it means. So, I thought a good Youtube video would be helpful. Most were so BORING! This is the best I found. I love this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9KptD3t110

Proud to deliver babies at a hospital that is doing so many good things for mothers and babies. Getting it right from the start matters!! So which hospital you are in for your birth matters.…and the obstetrician you choose really matters! But that’s another post altogether (although I can suggest one). We are so excited!!!

Caught up by the Cos Bill Cosby got me! One day I looked up, saw the parallels in my life and realized he got me. See, I loved his comedy and the Cosby Show growing up. Who didn’t? I even loved the pudding pop commercials. I was intrigued by his image of a Black middle-class

Cervical Cancer Screening Cervical Cancer is cancer that begins in the lower part of the womb (at the cervix) which is at the top of the vagina. Cervical cancer is the third most common types of cancer in women. Cervical Cancer is easily preventable. With regular screening, cervical cancer can be caught in early stages. Here are

I am happy to state that Regional Medical Center now has a special tub for laboring. I am fully supportive of women who wish to use this modality for labor and the management of labor pain. It has been my experience and it is well documented that women who use water for labor have a

An interesting article by Consumer Reports does a good job of describing procedures that low-risk pregnant women should try to avoid. Although I agree with many points of the article, I generally do not like that these kinds of articles have a tendency to demonize OB/GYNs. All of us do not practice this way (Take

Regional Medical Center in Anniston is the only Baby-Friendly hospital in Alabama, but most people don’t know what that means. There are two ways to explain how a hospital can become Baby-Friendly : The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund

Today, I got lost in Talladega County. It was fortuitous. I had a chance to see beautiful country on the back roads. We came upon a single lane wooden bridge that led to a dirt road! It was very serene. I am not sure I could find it again if I tried. .

In case anyone needed a sign to decide where to go (..ahem…Cheaha Women’s Health and Wellness..) for gynecology or for their pregnancy, here are a few. A sign for Hwy 21 motorists It’s 2.2 miles from Hwy 21 to the Medical Mall building. This reminds you to keep going! Sign at entrance to Medical Mall

Today, had a great time talking to a group of childcare professionals getting continuing education from the United Way. I had a good time interacting with a lively bunch during my “Healthy Teacher, Healthy Kids” talk. We made public commitments to improve at least one health behavior. I hope to hear from you all about

Ina May Gaskin From Left to Right.Myself, Ina May Gaskin, and Dr Hughen Fredrick of Isis Obgyn in Atlanta Still a little starstruck. I had the privilege to meet and talk to Ina May Gaskin at a lecture she gave at Atlanta’s Bellies to Babies conference. All my midwife colleagues know her. She is considered

After much ado, we finally opened the doors to Cheaha Women’s Health and Wellness on August 6, 2012. We had help from Alba ( pictured below), who flew here to help get our new medical assistants fully trained. She was excellent, and they greatly appreciated her help. We had Ruby from Quest, to help set